Jayasuriya's pat for Indian openers
Rex Clementine - 14 August 2001
Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya was happy about the way things
went for his side on the first day of the first Test match at the
Galle International cricket stadium on Tuesday,
"I am happy about the way things went for us. If you look at the
score board at the end of the day we have sent back the cream of the
Indian batting back to the pavilion without very much on the board,"
said Jayasuriya.
The Sri Lankan captain this morning having won the toss, put the
opposition in said he was happy about his decision at the end of the
first day, "There was a lot of grass on the wicket and any captain
who wins the toss would have had no hesitation to put the opposition
in. I am happy that finally we picked up five wickets." remarked
Jayasuriya.
The Sri Lankan captain didn't manage to get any wickets in the morning
session and he gave credit to the Indian openers for playing
watchfully, "You have to give credit for the manner in which the
Indian batsmen played. They put their heads down and played
watchfully. The bowlers too kept things tight for them. But I knew if
we got two or three wickets we can end up the day in top."
Jayasuriya took the new ball only in the 82nd over of the match and
that brought immediate success as Dilhara Fernando struck with two
crucial blows. When asked as to why he didn't take the new ball a bit
earlier, Jayasuriya said, "Murali was bowling well. I knew I could
take the new ball. But I thought I ought to give Murali a longer
spell. But when I decided to take the new ball we got two wickets."
Sri Lanka's fielding was not exactly top class today as they missed a
few close chances. Talking about the fielding lapses, Jayasuriya said,
"We missed a few catches. Rahul Dravid could have been a bad lapse.
But luckily we got rid of him before long. Those players don't give
that many chances. We have to be more alert in the field."
The Sri Lankan batsmen have not been doing well in Test matches but
Jayasuriya is confident that things can improve, "Yes, we have not
been doing well, but I hope that this time around we can change
things. We have been batting well lately. The batting came up good in
the Coca Cola Cup final so we are in good nick."
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